That sounds strange, doesn’t it? First, not caring about “things.” Second, asking the Lord to help us not care. It seems backward.

There are plenty of times in the Bible when we are instructed to care…about people, about the Lord’s ways, and about ourselves in the light of God’s Word. Paul instructed the Galatians that way:

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Galatians 6:10 NLT

To the Philippians, Paul wrote to encourage them:

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 2:4 NLT

So, what is this about not caring? We need to examine what we spend our time caring about. How we look? What others think of us? Whether things around us are “just right?”

I have sometimes commented that I am a practical perfectionist. I want everything to be perfect, but time and life have taught me that it won’t be that way often. What matters most?

If we admit it, most of us would acknowledge that we spend way too much time wondering what others think of us. Newspaper columnist Ann Landers once said:

“At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At age 40, we don’t care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking of us at all.”

How do we get beyond those things that ultimately don’t matter? That’s where I started with this. By prayer. Lord, help me not to care…about the things that are of little importance in your kingdom work.

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount addressed the idea of worrying about things that don’t matter. Remember? Here’s how Eugene Peterson interprets it (Matthew 6 28-31 MSG):

All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

Then Peterson interprets Jesus’ teaching this way:

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

OK. Jesus isn’t saying don’t pay any attention to things like clothing or other non-essential things. But don’t obsess over these things. Stop caring so much about the rather trivial things in life, no matter what they are, and focus on the important.

Again, the Apostle Paul gives us insight into daily living for the Lord:

…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 NLT

Lord, help me to spend my time, my thoughts on the things that are important to you. Help me to not care about anything else. Amen.

God’s best,